CHAPTER 23 — Introductions And Final Preparations
ELION — POV
The tires crunched over broken gravel as I pulled into the apartment parking garage. The sun had shifted, dipping lower, casting long blue shadows across the street. The area was quiet. None of the earlier chaos. Just the eerie calm of a city in ruins.
Rea exhaled softly beside me, lowering her gun at last.
Danny and Delilah sat rigidly in the backseat, clutching the snacks they'd brought but refusing to open anything after my "no eating in the car" rule. Their fear was thick—tangible. But under it… a sliver of hope.
For people like them, hope was dangerous.
I parked the SUV in front of the stairs — in a handicapped spot — and turned off the engine.
The world fell silent.
"Let's go," I said simply, stepping out.
Rea joined me, handgun drawn but at her side.
Danny helped Delilah limp out, one arm under her shoulder, his expression tight with worry. The wound wasn't infected—but it hurt, and she was exhausted.
We climbed up the stairs and approached the door, and knocked 4 times. Soon I heard the locks being undone as the door was thrown open and I was the one enveloped in a hug and druged in as Alexiy wrapped herself around me and kept whispering how she was "so glad I'm back, and alright."
And it hit — just how much she already cares about me.
"I'm alright, Lex, I got a good car and found some people." I said, trying to gesture that we're not alone.
"You brought… two more?" She said finally looking at Rea and the others, but she didn't let go of me. If anything after finding about the others she tightened her hold on.
"Yeah," .I wasn't sure if it was fear, or anxiety, or what but I tried to relax her a bit as I hugged her back. "We found them running from a pack of ten zombies lead. by a Variant. They seem like good people."
Lily's head popped around the corner, eyes sparkling.
"Of course you did. Let me guess—two more damsels in distress?" She smirked. "Elion saves another girl every time he steps outside."
Danny almost choked. Delilah turned bright red, shrinking behind him.
I ignored the teasing—If it happens twice then it's not a patten— Although I just realized if you count the first time I went out, I saved Alexiy then she's kinda got a point.
"Go have Sarah prep some towels and hygiene supplies, and grab a first aid kit." I said instead telling Lily to get something to help the injured.
Sarah nodded instantly and moved into "mom mode" when she heard me, Lily ran to get one of the good first aid kits, since she knew I probably kept some simply stuff on hand but this required more.
"Alexiy, come help me, please," Sarah voice was heard from the kitchen.
Danny helped Delilah inside since she looked pale from blood loss and exhaustion, guiding her to the couch. Danny hovered protectively as Sarah came rushing back and cut the makeshift bandage away and cleaned the gash.
Delilah hissed in pain but didn't complain.
Sarah's hands were steady. "It's deep, but clean. You were lucky."
Alexiy tried to hide it, but she kept glancing at me while helping. Her cheeks were pink. Her hands moved fast helping her mother, almost too fast. Was it jealousy? Concern? Both?
Probably both.
Lily leaned in next to me, whispering dramatically:
"You weren't supposed to save EVERY pretty girl in the city. It's rude. Shameeesles."
I flicked her forehead gently.
"Owww!"
"Go finish packing. Were loading things up tonight."
"Hmph!"
She stomped off, I could tell she wasn't really angry, just being dramatic to help lighten the tension. She was a clever little fox like that sometimes.
Aaron appeared from the kitchen, eyes wide at the sight of newcomers.
"Woah! You found more people?!"
"They found us," I corrected. "Barely."
Sarah had finished wrapping Delilah's arm properly. Rea holstered her gun and settled beside me, quiet but watchful. The twins sat stiffly, hands clasped together, waiting for judgment.
Time for introductions.
I stepped forward.
"Everyone, quick rundown."I pointed. "This is Danny. And this is Delilah. They're Twins. Not infected. They want to join us."
Sarah nodded politely. Aaron waved. Lily gave a thumbs-up from down the hall. Alexiy's pink eyes narrowed a little, but she forced a smile.
"Welcome," she said. "You made it here alive—that's something."
Delilah swallowed, her voice small. "Thank you… truly. We would have died."
Danny bowed his head deeply. "We owe you everything."
I shrugged lightly. "Just the orbs. After that your part of the team, and the team works as one."
Then Delilah reached into her backpack with shaking hands.
"Elion… this is what we promised."
She held out two shimmering orange orbs.
The room fell silent.
Alexiy's eyes widened. Rea's breath caught. Even Sarah froze for half a second.
I took the orbs with telekinesis, floating them slowly to my hand. I caught them and rolled them in my palm. They were warm, faintly pulsing like all orbs. I still couldn't really tell the difference, or tell what skill. I really wanted a 'Analyze' skill or something.
Danny looked terrified. Delilah looked hopeful.
"You saved us," she whispered. "These are yours."
I nodded once. "Good. Then I'll use them wisely."
I turned to the only two people they should go to.
"Alexiy. Rea."
Their eyes snapped to me instantly.
"You're both coming with me tomorrow," I said. "You need more power."
I held one orb out to Alexiy.
Her lips parted—surprise, relief, pride all mixing in her expression.
"Elion… are you sure?"
Instead of answering, I moved closer and gently pressed the orb into her hand.
She looked at it… then at me…
And then—
She leaned up on her toes and kissed me.
Right there. In front of everyone.
A small, warm, soft kiss on the lips.
The moment she realized what she had done—
She jerked back like she'd been electrocuted, face turning crimson red, hands flying up to hide it.
"I—I'm gonna—my room—I'll—GOODNIGHT!"
She spun and bolted down the hall so fast she blurred.
SLAM.
Silence.
Aaron's jaw dropped. Lily howled with laughter. Sarah sighed like a tired sitcom mom. Rea blinked a few times, then stared at the floor. And the twins were silencing watching, their thoughts unknown.
I chuckled softly.
"Well she is my wife now. but okay.... One down."
Then I turned to Rea and held out the second orb.
Her breath hitched.
"Elion…" she whispered. "Are you sure I deserve this?"
"Deserve?" I tilted my head. "I'm not Santa, Rea. I don't give gifts based on niceness. I give tools based on usefulness. I know no mater what kind of skill this is, you'll find a way to make it work for you."
She blinked, startled by the bluntness.
"You're coming with us," I continued. "You're willing to fight. You're willing to learn. That's enough."
"I…" Her eyes softened. "I want to help. I don't ever want to be helpless again."
"Then crush it when you're ready."
She wrapped her fingers around the orb, nodding once.
"Thank you... But I'm not kissing you..." she murmured as he blushed. I didn't miss the faint shine in her eyes.
I laughed, "I'm not looking for any of that, I have Lexi." I said with a smile.
Rea smiled back.
Good. She has the motivation to fight, and that was the first step.
Lily reappeared briefly, arms full of clothes.
"Aaaand I'm done packing! Mostly. Also I stole Aaron's favorite shirt but he doesn't know yet—OW—HE JUST BIT ME!"
"DID NOT!"
Chaos resumed.
I let a smile on face show. God I loved chaos
The 'normal' was gone from the world…and now? Random Chaos... the unknown.
I thought it was a decent replacement.
I turned back to the twins.
"You two," I said.
Danny stiffened. "Y-yes?"
I held out my hand and pulled three red orbs from my Inventory. I was curious about the orbs, because I got an orb every time I killed something, but Rea hadn't received any orbs... I had theories but I didn't want to bring them up since I don't think Rea, or Alexiy has noticed anything yet, since I've gotten used to shoving the orbs in my Inventory as soon as they appear so nobody really saw them yet.
"Here, two for Danny, and one more for Delilah. The only thing you have to do if you want these is tell me the skill name and what it dose. I need more information, more data on skills the system, everything. So if you want free skills, this is a one time offer."
They exchanged looks.
Delilah answered first.
"I accept." "Me too."
Danny spoke up right after. I handed the orbs to them and they crushed them right there as if they thought I would take them back if they didn't use them.
After the bright flash of light I turned to look at Delilah, since she'd done it before she wouldn't be so surprised by any crazy or weird abilities. "Whats the skill name, and what can it do?" I ask.
"I got… Echo Step," she said quietly."It lets step on air for one second. Like… a micro dash. It's small, but… it should be useful."
I noted. That was useful. I could see it being used a kind of like 'Double-Jump' to get up high. And if its upgradeable it could transform to walking or running on air.
Then I turned to look at Danny, he swallowed and lifted his hands as if surrendering.
"I got Ironwall Guard. Uhh… it makes me really hard to knock over? And I take less impact when something hits me."
A defensive skill. Perfect for someone who clearly wasn't a fighter. He can be the Back up tank, a final line of defense to protect the kids and Sarah, incase the worst happens and I can't be there.
I nodded. "And the second one?"
"It's a Passive skill called Bear Might It increases my strength stat by 100 %"
I let out a whistle. A Percentage multiplier at 100%? that's crazy. I was curious about how the math for those types of numbers worked, like if he also had a sword that added another 10%, would it be accumulative, or multiplicative?
I focused back on the twins shelving any future plans until after we get to the cabin.
"Well, I feel like you'll both fit somewhere in the group."
Danny exhaled sharply, relieved. Delilah leaned into him, exhausted but hopeful.
Sarah cleared her throat.
"Okay, everyone. It's getting dark. If you've finish packing, come bring me the stuff. Let's get to sleep early. We leave at sunrise."
The apartment shifted into quiet movement.
Sarah started cleaning. Aaron brought over a Legos bag and I shoved it into my Inventory. He gasped then ran to get more bags from his mom, not to help but to see more cool magic.
Lily reorganized her pack three times before she brought over only what she needed. Rea slipped away to use her new orb — well it's not like she has anything to pack. The twins whispered to each other anxiously.
I finally sank onto the couch.
A rare moment of stillness.
Of calm.
Of breathing.
But it didn't last.
Lily appeared in front of me a second later, holding the iPad like it was sacred scripture.
"Hey, Elion?"
I looked up.
She wore a mischievous smile.
"A few new messages came."
Ah. Of course.
"Meso?" I asked.
"Mhm. And it looks… um… very Meso-y."
I took the tablet from her, bracing myself mentally.
"Let's see."
She handed it over and skipped away before she could get caught up in whatever profanity tsunami Meso had unleashed this time.
I tapped open the notification.
Meso (203 unread → 204)
Meso: ELFIOOOOO!!I SEE YOU READ MY LAST MESSAGE AND DIDN'T ANSWER FOR A WHOLE 9 HOURS!! GOOD!!!! YOU'RE LEARNING TO FEAR ME. ANYWAY — I HAVE ARRIVED AT THE CABIN~ IT IS PERFECT!! MORE PERFECT THAN YOU DESERVE. I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOU TO GET HERE. HURRY.... BEFORE I DIE OF BOREDOM AND START DISSECTING ANIMALS FOR FUN... (AGAIN.)
Oh…and bring snacks. please I really want those little donuts. Not the white kind! Thanks
Love, Miso
My eyes twitched.
Yep.
That was... Meso.
A long exhale slipped from my chest. As I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the couch.
Tomorrow, everything would change again.
I had a bigger group now. It was a long drive and there were countless threats. But I was also prepared, more people ment more chances to turn things around in the worst case scenario.
But for the first time since the world ended—
It felt doable.
Hell, it even felt exciting.
I spend my eyes and started to type:
"Meso, I know you are anxious, but believe me when I say I got some badass skill — like I knew I would. But I'm not letting that get to my head. I'll stay safe here, you stay safe there. We're leaving tomorrow morning, I'll message you then, and we should be there by sunset. I'm actually excited to meet you in person. If you're actually taller than 5'10 like you said you were I'll do any one request you have. See you soon.
P.S. please don't go hurting the animals for fun, if you're HUNTING, at least save and preserve the meat."
I set the tablet aside and leaned back.
Lily snuck a peek at my expression and whispered:
"…Is she a serial killer?" she asks in a whisper.
"…Probably." I whisper back.
She nodded like that answer made perfect sense. and it truly did. I've known Meso for 4 years now and in the whole time she's been the same. A ball of pure chaos energy that would eat a goldfish just feel like an aquarium.
I sighed as Alexiy came and got me for dinner. The twins were quiet at first but soon opened up under Aarons endless questions and Lily's testing remarks.
It a simple dinner just mashed potatoes and meatballs and green beans. After dinner the twins went to the apartment Nextdoor to have some personal space.
The apartment dimmed as Sarah turned off lights.
Rooms went quiet.
Doors closed softly.
Only the faint moonlight spilled through the windows.
Tomorrow…
We leave and I feel like things are gonna change again.
The real world begins.